Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
Date:
Bauhinias: trees with Orchid Flowers
and Butterfly Wings...
Photo above: Bauhinia variegata - Purple Orchid Tree, one of the most spectacular varieties.
Q: We just moved to Florida and I see these beautiful trees with large purple flowers. I was told these are Orchid trees, do you have them?
A: Bauhinias, commonly known as Orchid trees, are renowned for their captivating flowers and unique foliage. These trees typically grow to a moderate height of 15-25 feet with a spread of 10-15 feet, showcasing a rounded to vase-like shape. Thriving in hardiness zones 9-11, they exhibit resilience to heat and can withstand mild frost. There are over 300 species of Bauhinia, which are distributed in tropical and subtropical areas. These species vary in characteristics such as size, foliage, and flower color, contributing to the diversity and appeal of this genus. You can find them as trees, shrubs, and even vines.
Bauhinias are evergreen (in tropics) to semi-deciduous (in cooler climates), offering year-round beauty with intermittent blooming cycles. The peak bloom time varies depending on the species and location, often occurring in late winter to early spring, bedecking the tree with striking orchid-like flowers in hues ranging from white and pink to purple and red. The flowers boast delicate petals with intricate patterns, resembling the elegance of true orchids.
One of the distinguishing features of Bauhinia leaves is their unique bi-lobed or bilobed structure, which gives them a distinct appearance. The leaves are deeply divided, typically into two lobes or halves, hence the common name "Butterfly tree" due to their resemblance to butterfly wings. This characteristic is often used as an identifying trait for Bauhinia species. The bilobed leaves add to the visual appeal of the tree, contributing to its ornamental value in addition to its beautiful flowers.
Photo above: Bauhinia monandra - Napoleons Plume, starts flowering in small size. This one is very beautiful but the most cold sensitive and should be grown in pots in areas with winter freeze. It will happily bloom in container!
Low-maintenance by nature, Bauhinias require minimal upkeep. Annual feeding with a balanced fertilizer enhances growth and flowering. Pruning is generally optional but can be done in late winter or spring, after flowering, to maintain shape or remove dead or damaged branches. These trees thrive in full sun, preferring well-drained soil. With their enchanting blooms and easy care requirements, Bauhinia orchid trees are a delightful addition to any landscape, and a colorful specimen for tropical winter gardens.
In addition, Orchid trees grow fast and provide excellent shade. They can make a shady spot in your garden in no time, giving relief from the hot sun. This is really valuable, especially in places where it gets very hot. So, not only are Orchid trees pretty to look at with their lovely flowers, but they're also great for keeping you cool!
Read more about Bauninias:
Bauihnias: Orchid trees with Butterfly flowers... and leaves
Photo above: Bauhinia x alba (candida) - White orchid tree, the most cold hardy variety that can take light freeze once established.
Photo above: Bauhinia purpurea - Purple Orchid Tree, one of the most popular and easy trees in Southern landscapes.
How to grow Orchid Trees in pots
Orchid Trees in pots
Everyone loves beautiful Orchid trees with butterfly-like leaves and colorful orchid-like flowers. They are widely used in Southern landscapes. But what if you don't have a room in your garden for another tree? Or what if it gets too cold in winter for a tropical Orchid tree? You can grow it in a pot!
📝 This is how to n enjoy the stunning flowers and foliage of Bauhinia right on your patio or balcony:
- 💠 Choose the right variety. Some species suitable for containers:
- 💠 Choose the right pot: Select a large, sturdy pot with good drainage holes. Bauhinia trees have a vigorous root system
- 💠 Use a well-draining potting mix. We recommend a professional soilless mix: Sunshine Abundance.
- 💠 Sunny location: Position the pot in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Bauhinia plants thrive in warm, sunny conditions.
- 💠 Watering: Keep the soil slightly moist but not waterlogged. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
- 💠 Fertilizing: For the most profuse flowering like in the video, feed the Bauhinia with liquid Sunshine Boosters Megaflor year around, it's safe with every watering.
- 💠 Pruning: Prune the plant to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth.
- 💠 Winter Care: If you live in a region with cold winters, bring the pot indoors or to a sheltered location to protect the plant from frost.
B. galpinii, B. madagascariensis, B. monandra, B. alba (candida), B. acuminata, B. bidentata, B. blakeana, B. grandidieri and many others.
📸 Bauhinia monandra - Napoleons Plume Orchid Tree, starts flowering when only 2 ft tall and grows well in containers.
📚 Earlier posts on Bauhinias: 1 2 3
Bauhinias: trees with Orchid Flowers and Butterfly Wings
🛒 Shop Orchid Trees
#Container_Garden #How_to
🏵 TopTropicals
What orchid tree has stunning red and yellow flowers year around?
Bauhinia madagascariensis - Red Butterfly Orchid Tree
We showed you in earlier post one showy red Orchid tree - Bauhinia galpinii; but this one is even more spectacular!
- 🔴 Bauhinia madagascariensis - Red Butterfly Orchid Tree is a very rare plant in cultivation and one of the most spectacular Bauhinia. Rare, collectible species.
- 🔴 Flowers and extremely showy, look like scarlet butterflies with bright yellow stripes at the base of each petal.
- 🔴 It grows into a small tree or tall bush. Fast growing. Attracts butterflies.
- 🔴 Plant in in full sun to get the most of its flowering season - this one literally blooms year around!
📚 More posts about Bauhinias:
- · How to grow Orchid Trees in pots
- · Why Bauhinias are called Orchid Trees: orchid flowers with butterfly wings...
- · What is the best shade tree that is fast growing and beautiful?
- · Why red flowers are so attractive? Bauhinia galpinii - Pride of De Kaap
🛒 Order rare Bauhinia madagascariensis
#Trees #Butterfly_Plants
🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Why red flowers are so attractive?
Bauhinia galpinii (punctata) - Pride of De Kaap, Nasturtium Bauhinia
💋 If red is your favorite color for flowers, this is your plant!👇
- ❤️ Bauhinia galpinii (punctata) - Pride of De Kaap or Nasturtium Bauhinia - belongs to Orchid trees that we mentioned earlier. But this one has very unusual color of flowers for Bauhinias: bright red or scarlet!
- ❤️ Native to South Africa, this is a woody, vining shrub that also can be trained into a small tree, reaching 6-10 ft in height.
- ❤️ As a all orchid trees it has deep green, bilobed leaves are resembling butterfly wings.
- ❤️ Blooms almost year around, from Summer through late Fall, with vibrant orange-red, resembling those of nasturtiums, coming in clusters. Well-known for its stunning floral display.
- ❤️ Hardy, low-maintenance, drought-tolerant once established. Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
- ❤️ Attracts butterflies and bees
🛒 Order Pride of De Kaap
#Hedges_with_benefits
🏵 TopTropicals
What is the best shade tree that is fast growing and beautiful?
Bauhinia blakeana - Hong Kong Orchid Tree flower
Bauhinia blakeana - Hong Kong Orchid Tree
- 🌸 Orchid trees that we mentioned earlier are one of the most popular shade trees in Southern gardens.
- 🌸 Bauhinia blakeana - Hong Kong Orchid Tree - is the most beautiful of all orchid trees.
- 🌸 It has the largest flowers, brightly colored.
- 🌸 Winter bloomer.
- 🌸 Starts flowering in very small size, when only 2-3 ft tall.
- 🌸 Very fast growing.
📚 Learn more: Bauhinias - trees with Orchid Flowers and Butterfly Wings
🎥 YouTube Video: Hong Kong Orchid Tree
🛒 Plant a Tree
#Quotes #Trees
🏵 TopTropicals
Why Bauhinias are called Orchid Trees: orchid flowers with butterfly wings
Bauhinia monandra - Nepoleons Plume
Bauhinia trees have striking orchid-like flowers in hues ranging from white and pink to purple and red. The flowers boast delicate petals with intricate patterns, resembling the elegance of true orchids.
The leaves are deeply divided, typically into two lobes or halves, hence another common name "Butterfly tree" due to their resemblance to butterfly wings.
Need a fast growing, easy to care tree with beautiful blooms? Orchid trees offer quick shade solution and guarantee a spectacular winter flower show.
📚 Learn more about Orchid trees
🛒 Shop Orchid Trees
#Butterfly_Plants
🏵 TopTropicals
Date:
New Video:
The Hong Kong Orchid Tree
Bauhinia blakeana
"...Edging the golf course of the club was a glorious sweep of glowing purple. Even before I was near enough to identify the trees, the rich, heady perfume which filled the air told me they were Bauhinias. The sight left me breathless and it was then I realized how difficult was the attempt I was making to describe in mere words the trees I know better how to paint..." (D. Cowen, "Flowering trees and shrubs of India")
Bauhinia blakeana - Hong Kong Orchid Tree, is the most beautiful of all
orchid trees, and the most wanted one. It has the largest flowers, brightly
colored. Winter bloomer. These trees start flowering in very small size, when
only 2-3 ft tall!
Certainly seeing flowering Bauhinia blakeana is one of the best things a
plant collector will love about winter. It truly is the most beautiful orchid
tree!
Read more: Bauhinias: Orchid trees with Butterfly flowers
Spectacular Hong Kong Orchid Tree - Eye Candy and "Clever Leaf"
Stay updated with TopTropicals Videos by subscribing to our channel at YouTube.com/TopTropicals and get our latest video news of what is fruiting and blooming!
Date:
Bauhinias: Orchid trees with Butterfly leaves
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...Have you seen butterflies? Yes, of course. Have you seen orchids?
Yes, of course. And have you seen a tree with flowers that look like both a
butterfly, and an orchid?...
...Bauhinias are beautiful and diverse. Their flowers are showy and
slightly perfumed; their leaves always cleft in the characteristic Bauhinia
manner... And they are gorgeous - all together and each in their own way... They turn
your garden into a colorful paradise and make you feel like living on exotic
island...
...Some of them are everblooming and start flowering in 1-3 gal pots!...
CONTINUE READING >>
Date:
Fragrant Gold Leaf Orchid Vine
By Onika Amell, tropical plant specialist
Q: I am absolutely thrilled to see you have this vine. I've tried for years to get this plant! It is so, so rare. It just seemed impossible to find in this country. How do I make it thrive? I am ordering two.
A: We are happy to confirm that indeed we do have this rare vine!
Bauhinia aureifolia - Gold Leaf Orchid Vine - was discovered in Thailand in
1983. It is endemic to Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala in Southern Thailand.
Danish botanist Kai Larsen named this plant and hailed it as one of the rarest
plant species of the world when it was discovered in the eighties.
The Thai people call this vine Bai Mai Si Thong. It is a beautiful
climber with large, bi-loped leaves (7 inches or more!) and good branching.
Young leaves are a stunning burnt orange to terracotta color for about
a week and as they reach full size, they turn green over a couple of days.
This is a very rare color for Bauhinia. It produces leaves all the time and
this means this vine is always full of beautiful color. With its golden leaves,
it sure is reminiscent of Autumn.
This vine blooms from May to November. It bears bunches of small
flowers that are delicately fragrant in the evenings. The cultivated plants range
flower color from pure white to purple and pink, while the wild ones have
often white petals with pinkish patches.
Bauhinia aureifolia needs well-drained soil, full light and good humidity
to thrive. It will tolerate a light freeze once established and it is very
important to protect young plants.
Gold Leaf Orchid Vine also makes a wonderful container plant with staking
or support. It is a must for every rare plant collection!
RECOMMENDED FERTILIZERS:
Pink N Good Daily Plant Food - Flower Booster
Tropical Allure - Smart-Release Booster
Date:
Shade
Tree Discount Program
How to reduce an electric bill and energy costs?
Photo above: Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree - one of the most popular trees. This all time favorite is fast growing and elegant.
Q: How to reduce an electric bill and energy costs?
A: This summer is expected to be hot. And the next summer... and next... Want to reduce your electric bill and energy costs? There is an excellent solution: plant a shade tree! Once fully grown, these trees will help keep your house cooler and lower your energy expenses.
Today we are offering a special discount you can use for purchasing
trees that will keep your homes cooler in Summer and gardens warmer in Winter!
Check out Fast
Growing Shade Trees, as well as other flowering trees and fruit trees and use discount below:
GETSHADE
Your savings with this code:
5% off orders $100+
15% off orders $150+
20% off orders $200+
Excluding S/H. Excluding 15 gal material. Exp. 6-12-24
Photo above: Tabebuia - spectacular winter bloomer.
Photo above: Bauhinia blakeana - Hong Kong Orchid Tree. The most beautiful of all orchid trees.
Photo above: Mango trees now. Many varieties are vigorous, large trees.
Photo above: Cattley Guava Tree is an elegant solution for small spaces. Red Button French Kiss Ginger goes well with it!